Melania Trump Mother’s Day interview: It’s unconditional love’

Stephanie Murphy

Tuesday

May 9, 2017 at 12:01 AMMay 9, 2017 at 10:24 AM

Editor’s note: Melania Trump celebrated her first Mother’s Day as a new mom on May 14, 2006, following the birth of her son, Barron, on March 20 of that year. In an interview at the time with the Palm Beach Daily News, both Donald and Melania Trump talked about being new parents.

As the first family celebrates its first Mother’s Day in the White House, take a look back with this story from our archives.

» COMPLETE COVERAGE: President Donald Trump in Palm Beach

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All is "rite" with the world today, as Melania Trump marks her first Mother’s Day as a mom.

She walked down the aisle last year in Palm Beach, taking the hand of Donald John Trump in marriage before a full house of friends, family and international celebrities at The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea.

Melania gave birth to her first child on March 20 in New York and turned 36 about five weeks later.

» Melania Trump visits girls at HomeSafe in Lake Worth

This rite of passage stuff is heady, even for someone who seems to be able to have the planets line up just because it looks good.

Born in Slovenia, the former Miss Knauss speaks four languages. She began modeling at 16 and had signed with a Milan agency by 18. After completing her degree in design and architecture at the University of Slovenia, Melania’s supermodel career brought her to New York via photo shoots in Paris. That was 1996, before she met Trump.

Leggy at 5-feet-11, the blue-eyed brunette’s image has appeared on the covers of New York Magazine, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Ocean Drive, British GQ and In Style. She also was a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model and was featured in fashion layouts in Vanity Fair, Allure, Elle and Self.

» PHOTOS: Melania Trump through the years

For far too long, she was referenced as the favorite arm candy of her billionaire beau, a real estate developer and author who once toyed with running for president. In 2004, when Trump launched The Apprentice hit television series on NBC, viewers were introduced to Melania in numerous episodes. And even though no one else was photographed by his side for years before they married, some media continued to call her "his first lady of the moment."

Donald and Melania Trump leave The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea after the baptism of 8-month-old Barron William Trump on Dec. 8, 2006. (Palm Beach Daily News file photo)

Today, she is exactly that, as her husband celebrates her new status at a lavish Mother’s Day brunch at The Mar-a-Lago Club. Later in the day, he’ll return to New York to salute the holiday properly.

In a recent interview, Melania shared some thoughts on being a new mother and her childhood memories of the holiday in Slovenia.

Melania and their otrok, the Slovenian word for "baby," will spend today with her mami and daddy, Amalia and Viktor Knavs. They will "go out for lunch" or dine at home, a luxurious residence in Trump Tower, also home of The Apprentice boardroom. As one might expect with a new-baby household, the plans are loose.

» PHOTOS: First lady Melania Trump, Akie Abe tour Morikami gardens

What is the best part of motherhood?

"The love. It’s unconditional love." Being a new mother is "wonderful. Every mother knows this. It’s a miracle almost, I could say, that two people can create. It’s very, very special.

Melania Trump carries 8-month-old Barron William Trump after his baptism at The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach on Dec. 8, 2006. (Palm Beach Daily News file photo)

"You can watch the baby, every move he makes. It’s just amazing. A great, great experience. I was very lucky. I had a beautiful pregnancy. Everyone is healthy and happy."

Does Barron remind you of any relatives?

"He reminds me of Donald. And a little bit of my dad. The baby looks like Donald. He has my eyes, and beautiful brown hair. He has long fingers and long legs."

What is he like, so far?

"A very happy baby. He’s a very, very calm baby; he doesn’t cry a lot. He’s up throughout the day and has a good appetite. He’s very curious. He wants to see [what’s going on], and he loves company.

"I can see he could be very tough, also. He lets you know what he wants. With communication, when they see the bottle. And when you’re putting him in the position to feed him."

What kind of advice did your mother give you, and did you follow it?

"She was a great mother. She is. She had two babies, me and my sister. She knows what is good for a baby’s stomach and for his skin."

Even if you were not a supermodel, many people would think that regaining your head-turning figure would be a high priority. Is that the case, or were you comfortable with letting your body adjust naturally? Any advice for other new mothers?

"Every woman should wait before exercising. The body needs to heal. Start slowly with exercise after six or seven weeks. I didn’t have any problems. It’s genes, also, that’s how my body is. But I’m not nervous about that. I won’t get crazy about it. I feel very well and very healthy, and [weight] will go off by itself."

Donald and Melania Trump pose for a photo with their son, Barron, at their annual New Year’s celebration at Mar-a-Lago on Dec. 31, 2014. (Palm Beach Daily News file photo)

Women who push it too hard or too soon will be "tired and get headaches" and have "no energy. That’s not very healthy."

Slovenians pay tribute to mothers on March 8. How do the two holidays compare?

"For me, it’s my first time here for Mother’s Day. In Slovenia, as a child in school, we always made a present in class to give to our mother. One year, I drew a picture of my mother. She saved it. When I look back, it’s really funny. A beautiful picture. Very strong colors. I saw it the last time I was at home."

What are some of your favorite childhood memories of Mother’s Day?

"The family gets together. My sister, my dad and my mom. We would plan it so my mom didn’t know. We went together to buy flowers and presents for her. We made lunch and spent time together."

How is your husband adapting?

"Donald has a special relationship [with Barron]. He spends time with him every morning and every evening. Sometimes we visit him in the office. Donald wakes up early and gets him out of the crib. They talk for an hour. It’s very special."

Your nanny, Clare Hollywood, helps with Barron. How has being a mother changed your lifestyle?

"We’re spending more time together. If [an event] is not important, I prefer to give the baby a bath and put him in bed. I prefer that to some outing that is not my interest. The baby is more fun. The baby knows who the mother is. They can feel it. It’s important to spend as much time with the baby as possible. In one way, we still need to have a life."

Melania Trump kisses her son Barron just after midnight at Mar-a-Lago on Dec. 31 during the club’s annual New Year’s celebration. (Meghan McCarthy / Palm Beach Daily News)

» PHOTOS: Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan at Bak Middle School of the Arts

Tony Senecal, Trump’s butler at Mar-a-Lago — who has watched the couple throughout their courtship, marriage and triumphant introduction of Barron to his Palm Beach crib — shared his perspective: "Both of them are so great with that baby. I really think this child is going to be special for both of them. Mr. Trump loves him, you can see it. And what a great baby! He’s the sweetest child. He has his mother’s disposition, his dad’s mouth and his grandfather’s hairline."

Part of adapting to Barron’s arrival involves occasionally spending time apart, as Trump, 59, was in California last week on business. Barron is Donald’s fifth child. Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric are in their 20s. Tiffany is 12.

In a separate interview, Donald Trump shared his thoughts:

How will you spend the holiday in Palm Beach?

"We’re having a big Mother’s Day luncheon at Mar-a-Lago, and I’ll go home early to see Melania and the baby."

Is it an occasion for gifts?

"I gave her the ultimate gift."

President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron walk in the inaugural parade on Jan. 20 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch - Pool/Getty Images)

What has changed since Donnie was a baby?

"The difference primarily is, I’m a little older. But it’s amazing how similar it is. It’s been 27 years since the first time I lifted a baby out of the crib. It never changes. I take great care of the baby.

"He looks more like Melania. And he’s like her in temperament. Very calm. Which is not easy when you’re around me."

Has parenting altered your hectic schedule?

"No, it hasn’t changed. It’s just great to have him with us. I love being with Barron and Melania. It’s really great. Having that beautiful baby at home."

Is there a tiny tycoon in the making?

"When I read the paper, if Barron is awake, I bring him downstairs. I read aloud a little bit. You never know what sinks in."

» What you don’t know about first lady Melania Trump

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